Cup connector for scaffold

ABSTRACT

A cup lock connection system for scaffold equipment advantageously has a locating arrangement for aligning ledgers, braces and other components on the cup lock at predetermined angular positions relative to the scaffold upright. The connecting ledgers, braces and other components preferably have a connecting head receivable on the cup lock connection in one of two orientations. In one orientation the aligning feature is active. In the second orientation the connection can be made without using the alignment functionality.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to scaffold connectors and in particularto a cup type scaffold connector that includes a locating arrangementfor selectively maintaining a particular position of a scaffoldcomponent on a cup type connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A cup type scaffolding connector was first introduced by ScaffoldingGreat Britain Ltd. (SGB) in about 1975. This cup type connector waswidely accepted and in recent years a number of similar cup connectorshave been introduced. The cup type connector includes a bottom cup thatinitially was designed to receive up to four members at variouspositions about a scaffold tube. Each of the connecting members includedan end configuration designed to be received in the bottom cup and toabut with like connecting members if all four members are present. Asimilar top cup is movable downwardly to engage an upper end of theconnectors and further secure the connectors to the leg. The top captypically has a screw type arrangement for forcing the top cupdownwardly trapping and pressing down on the ends of the connectors.

After a number of years, a modified system was introduced that allowedeight members to be inserted in a single cup connector. This systemprovided additional advantages with respect to connecting bracingmembers as well as to connecting members at different angles when thescaffold legs were positioned in a non rectilinear manner.

A major problem with cup type systems is that the connectors at the endsof the horizontal members are too wide to allow for 5 or more members tobe attached in a single cup connector, Also, if the connectors are madenarrower the installation of the scaffold system in a rectilinearpattern of scaffold legs is more difficult. These cup connectors have noprovision for fixing the position of the respective horizontal memberson the bottom when they are located in the bottom, cup. This problem isfurther compounded when additional connections are possible such as inan eight way cup type system, as there is a great deal of movement ifonly four connecting members are retained.

The problem with respect to movement of the connecting members on thebottom cup is particularly problematic in higher access scaffoldingsystems and generally elongate configurations of the assembled scaffold.Movement of the connecting members on the bottom cup increases thepossibility of racking of the assembled scaffold, and additional tiepoints are required to provide the necessary structural stability. Theseadditional tie points increase the cost to both erect the scaffoldingsystem and to dismantle the scaffolding system and can lead toinstallation errors.

Movement of the connecting members that are received in the cap lock ismore problematic when there is considerable space between the individualconnectors. For example, the cup lock is designed to receive up to eightconnecting members however in most cases eight connecting members arenot required. This leaves considerable space between adjacent connectingheads of the connecting members and the potential of undesirablemovement.

One desirable feature of the cup lock system is the ability of acomponent to be placed in the cup lock essentially at any angularposition. This makes the system easy to assemble adjacent to nonrectilinear structures.

The present invention provides a modified cup lock system that providesadditional rigidity of connected components while also providing theconvenience of free angular placement of the connecting components inthe cup lock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A scaffold post according to the present invention has a plurality ofconnection points at predetermined locations intermediate a lengththereof. Each connection point comprises a cup connector secured to thescaffold post with a lower peripheral rim spaced outwardly of thescaffold, post with a downwardly and inwardly extending intermediatewall connecting the peripheral rim. to the scaffold post. The peripheralrim includes, on an upper edge thereof, a plurality of alignmentrecesses at predetermined angular positions about the circumference ofthe scaffold post for positioning of a connecting member at apredetermined angular position relative to the scaffold post.

According to an aspect of the invention, each connection point includesa rotatable locking collar above said cup connector for cooperatingtherewith to secure a ledger head in the cup connector trapped betweenthe rotatable locking collar and the cup connector.

According to a further aspect of the invention, each cup connectorincludes four alignment recesses preferably positioned at 90 degreeintervals, about the circumference of the scaffold post.

In yet a further aspect of the invention the peripheral rim of eachconnection point is of an inverted U-shape and the alignment recessesare provided through the inverted U-shape.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the alignment recessesare notched regions that preferably define a radially extending slot.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention the peripheral rimincludes a support surface inwardly and downwardly of the peripheral rimfor engaging connecting members.

In yet a further aspect of the invention a scaffold system comprises aseries of scaffold supports as outlined above in combination with aseries of ledgers for connecting to the scaffold support post using anyof the cup connectors. Each ledger includes a ledger head having anextended post engaging face with one end thereof received in the cupconnector and an opposite end received in a rotatable inverted lockingcup. The ledger head includes a downwardly extending alignment memberengageable in any of the alignment recesses to locate the ledger head ata predetermined angular position relative to the scaffold post.

A scaffold system according to a preferred embodiment has ledgers wherethe ledger heads are reversible with a first horizontal engagementsurface having the alignment member and an opposite surface of theledger head having a flat surface. In this way the ledger in oneposition can engage and lock with the cup connector at any of the fixedangular positions relative to the scaffolding post and by reversing theledger head, effectively turning it upside down, the opposite side ofthe ledger head is received in the cup and is free to assume any angularposition or rotate on the rim of the cup as there is no alignmentmember. The locking collar effectively engages a portion of the ledgerhead inwardly of the alignment member to trap and secure the ledger headin the cup connector in either the first orientation which allows fixedpositioning or the second orientation that allows the ledger head to bepositioned on the cup at any angular position and subsequently secured.The alignment member is preferably located outside of the outer edge ofthe locking collar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view showing a portion of a scaffoldpost with the modified cup connector;

FIG. 2 is a vertical view showing a ledger connected to the scaffoldpost;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing the initial insertion of aledger in a cup connector;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a ledger head connected tothe cup connector and locked with respect to horizontal movement aboutthe cup connector;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a ledger and ledger head;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing the ledger head and thesurfaces for engaging the scaffold post;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a ledger and ledger head in areverse orientation allowing movement about the cup connector;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the cup connector securing four ledgers;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing a first ledger head indotted lines in locking engagement with a cup connector and a secondledger head in abutment therewith where the ledger head has a reverseorientation;

FIG. 11 is a top view showing two aligned ledger heads engaging a cupconnector of a scaffold post and in registration therewith and threeother ledger heads at different angular positions secured in the cupconnector;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view showing four ledger headsconnected to the cup connector and four bracing members connected to thecup member between adjacent ledgers;

FIG. 13 is a top view similar to the components of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of a brace connector; and

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of a brace connector where thebrace is at a different angle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The scaffold post shown in FIG. 1 is only a portion of a scaffold postas typically the scaffold posts are 6 to 10 feet in length and designedto connect in an end to end manner. A series of connectors are providedat spaced points in the length of the scaffold post that allowhorizontal or diagonal connection of adjacent scaffold posts. Thepresent scaffold post uses the cup lock connector 4. The cup lockconnector 4 includes a bottom cup 6 that cooperates with a locking topcup 8. The locking top cup 8 has been moved to a top clear position asthe welded stop 10 is positioned below the top cup 8 and the top cup isvertically separated to provide clearance above the bottom cup thatsimplifies insertion of connecting members such as the ledger 48 duringscaffold erection. The ledger 48 includes a ledger head 50 having alower portion 51 that is received in the bottom cup 6 such that theledger head 50 presses against the vertical surface of the scaffoldpost.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ledger head 50 includes a downwardly extendingaligning projection 56 that is receivable in any of a series of aligningrecesses 24 provided in an upper surface of the bottom cup 6. Thealigning recesses are sized to receive the aligning projection andbasically fix the angular position of the ledger head or other componentrelative to a vertical axis of the scaffold post 2. Four alignmentrecesses 90° apart are provided and all cup connectors of a scaffoldpost are aligned. Once the appropriate ledger heads have been supportedin the bottom cup 6, the locking top cup 8 can be moved downwardly toengage the upper surface 52 of the ledger heads 50 as they are receivedwithin a downwardly opening cavity 61 of the locking top cup. Thelocking top cup is driven downwardly by rotating the top cup causing thescrew thread track 30 to engage with the bottom surface of the weldedstop 50. The welded stop 50 can pass through the top cup 8 when alignedwith the stop passage 12 and the top cup is moved upwardly. Basicallyfor locking the top cup 8 is rotated about the scaffold post and the topcup is forced downwardly to engage the top surface 52 of the variousledger heads and maintain the ledger head in the bottom cup and inabutment with the scaffold post.

In FIG. 2 it can be seen that the ledger head 50 has the aligningprojection 56 received in an aligning recess 24 and thus the ledger head50 cannot rotate about the vertical axis of the scaffold post. Thelocking top cup 8 has been forced downwardly and restricts any upwardmovement of the ledger head 50 such that the ledger head 50 is nowtrapped between the locking top cup 8 and the bottom cup 6 and engagesthe scaffold post.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ledger head 50 preferably connects with acylindrical tube 49 that is welded or otherwise secured to the ledgerhead 50 for forming the fixed length ledger 48. The overall height ofthe ledger head is such that it engages an extended vertical surface ofthe scaffold post 2 to effectively distribute horizontal loads that thismember exerts on the scaffold post. By increasing the height of theledger head the width of the ledger head can be reduced. Verticalloading is through the bottom cup.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the initial insertion of the ledger head 50 in thebottom cup 6 and the alignment of the ledger head 50 on the scaffoldpost 2 as the aligning projection 56 is received in the aligning recess24 of the bottom cup member. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the locking topcup 8 engages the angled top surface 52 of the ledger head forcing theledger head. 50 downwardly into the bottom cup and retained therein. Thebottom surface of the ledger head 50 includes a projecting flange 53that engages the top flange 20 of the bottom cup 60 to furtherdistribute the load to the bottom cup.

FIG. 5 shows a ledger head 50 that is locked on the scaffold post 2 withthe locking top cup 8 cooperating with the welded stop 50 to drive thelocking top cup 8 downwardly by rotation of the top cup about thescaffold post, in this case in a clockwise direction.

FIG. 6 shows the ledger head 50 in a locking type orientation as thealigning projection 56 is facing downwardly for receipt in an aligningrecess 24 of the bottom cup 6. The locking top cup 8 has an interiorsurface that effectively engages the angled top surface 52 of the ledgerhead 50. The ledger head in horizontal plan view narrows (tapersinwardly) toward the end thereof to allow additional space for othercomponents to engage the bottom cup. FIG. 7 shows the ledger head 50from the other direction and it can be seen that the ledger headincludes two vertical ribs 60 and 62 that engage the scaffold post.These ribs distribute the load of the ledger 48 to a larger verticalsection of the scaffold post.

FIG. 8 shows a reverse orientation of the ledger head 50 with thealigning projection 56 facing upwardly. As can be seen, the angledbottom surface 51 that was received and cooperates with the bottom cup 6is now facing upwardly and provides the appropriate surface for engagingthe downwardly opening support surface 61 of the top cup 8. The aligningprojection 56 is positioned downwardly of the surface 51 such that thelocking top cup is free to rotate without interference from the aligningprojection 56 as shown in FIG. 10.

The aligning projection 56 shown in FIG. 10, faces upwardly and islocated downwardly of the lower edge 65 of the locking top cup 8. InFIG. 10 one ledger 48 a is shown with a locking projection 56 a engagingthe bottom, cup 6. The ledger 48 b has been rotated 180° such that thealigning projection 56 b faces upwardly. The bottom surface of theledger 48 b is appropriately received, in the bottom cup 6 in a manneressentially identical to receipt of the ledger head with, the projectionaligned with the recess, however there is no aligning projection and assuch the ledger head can be placed at any position on the top surface ofthe bottom cup 6.

As shown in FIG. 11, two ledger heads are positioned at a 90° angularplacement relative to the scaffold post 2 and these two ledger headshave aligning projections received in appropriate aligning recesses 24in the bottom cup. Three further ledger heads 48 c, 48 d and 48 e areshown and their aligning projections 56 face upwardly. These ledgerheads have been placed at a non 90° angular position in the bottom cupand two of these ledger heads (i.e. 48 c and 48 b) are in generalabutment with the locked ledger heads (48 a and 48 b) while ledger 48 dis positioned at an unrelated angular position. Basically if the ledgerheads are turned to the non-locking orientation (i.e. the aligningprojections face upwardly) the ledgers may be placed at any angularposition in the bottom cup 6 and the position is only limited by othercomponents placed in the bottom, cup 6. As clearly indicated in FIG. 11,some of the ledger heads can be locked relative to the cup and otherledger heads can be located without locking at unrelated positions. Itcan be appreciated that any mixture of locked and unlocked connectionmembers can be used.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ledger head 50 includes outwardly extendingflange surfaces 53 and 55. One of these flange surfaces engage the topedge 20 of a bottom cup when a ledger head is received in the bottom cupand reverse when the ledger head is reversed from a locked orientationof FIG. 1 to a non locked position (ledger 48 b in FIG. 10). Thesesurfaces provide better engagement and load distribution to the bottomcup 6. Note in the locked position of FIG. 2, flange surface 55 isspaced downwardly out of contact with the locked top cup 8. Similarlyflange surface 53 is spaced downwardly out of contact with the lockedtop cup 8 as shown in FIG. 10.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 12 where the cuplock 4 receives four ledger heads in an aligned locked position and fourbracing members received in the cup lock in the gap between adjacentlocked ledger heads. The size of the ledger heads for the brace members51 is smaller and is designed to fit between locked adjacent ledgerheads. Basically the load exerted on the scaffold post by a ledger isgreater than the load typically exerted by a cross brace member such as71.

One of the advantages of the arrangement shown in FIG. 12 is that boththe diagonal brace members 71 and the ledgers 48, use cylindrical tubingas the elongate component connecting ledger heads at opposite ends ofthe tubing. Cylindrical tubing provides good structural characteristicsand is readily available and cost effective. As illustrated in FIG. 12,the tubing of the diagonal brace members has been deformed and flattenednarrowing the width of the cylindrical tubing at the ends thereof toaccommodate a preferred pivot connection 75 with a smaller connectinghead 73. The pivoting on the ledger head allows them to be more easilyinserted in the bottom cups.

In the preferred embodiment, the bottom cup 6 includes four aligningrecesses spaced 90° from each other to assist in connecting of adjacentscaffold posts in a rectilinear manner. Ledger heads are locked in thecups and the particular angular space of 90° ensures that the overallsystem of connected, scaffold posts remains generally perpendicular in ahorizontal plan view. Additional locking recesses could be provided,however for simplicity with respect, to manufacturing as well as withrespect to erection of the system four locking recesses are preferred.

The system as shown effectively locks four ledgers or other componentsat a particular angular orientation in cup lock connectors of a scaffoldpost. The ledger heads of the ledgers are reversible and in oneorientation of the ledger this locking feature engages and locks with analignment recess of the cup and in a reverse orientation of the leger itis free to be placed at any angular placement in the bottom cup.Regardless of the orientation of the ledger head the top cup engages thesame angled surface at the same position on the scaffold post. Thealigning projections are positioned outwardly of an outer peripheraledge of the top cup such that the too cup is free to rotate and act tomove downwardly and lock the ledger head in the connection. The systemas shown allows up to eight connections to provide effective positivebracing. If eight connections are present the additional fourconnections are effectively trapped between the previously alignedledgers. With this arrangement tine erected scaffolding is stiff on plandue to the locking of the ledger heads and the ledger heads cannoteffectively lock about the bottom cup.

The improved cup lock connection provides advantages with respect toaccurate positioning of the ledger heads at predetermined positions onthe bottom cup while also allowing the desirable feature of freeplacement of the ledger heads at a host of different angular positionson bottom cups. There is no requirement to have ledger heads which onlyone of these functions as the ledger head is reversible and can changefrom locking to non-locking merely by rotation thereof. The system whenused with locked ledger heads has improved load support characteristicsand less tie points may be required.

Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention havebeen described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilledin the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing fromthe claimed invention.

1. A scaffold post having a plurality of connection points atpredetermined locations intermediate a length thereof; each connectionpoint comprising a cup connector secured to said scaffold post with alower peripheral rim spaced outwardly of said scaffold post and adownwardly and inwardly extending intermediate wall connecting saidperipheral rim to said scaffold post; said peripheral rim including onan upper edge thereof a plurality of alignment, recesses atpredetermined angular positions about the circumference of said scaffoldpost for positioning of a ledger head relative to said cup connector. 2.A scaffold post as claimed in claim 1 wherein each connection pointincludes a rotatable locking collar above said cup connector forcooperating therewith to secure a ledger head trapped between thelocking collar and said cup connector.
 3. A scaffold post as claimed inclaim 2 wherein each cup connector includes 4 alignment recesses.
 4. Ascaffold post as claimed in claim 3 wherein said 4 alignment recessesare positioned at 90° intervals about the circumference of said scaffoldpost with 4 non aligning securement.
 5. A scaffold post as claimed inclaim 4 wherein said peripheral rim of each connection point is of aninverted “U” shape.
 6. A scaffold post as claimed in claim 5 whereinsaid alignment recesses are notched regions.
 7. A scaffold post asclaimed in claim 6 wherein each notched region is a generally radiallyextending slot.
 8. A scaffold post as claimed in claim 7 wherein eachradially extending slot includes a support surface at an inward edge ofsaid peripheral rim and a support surface at an outward edge of saidperipheral rim.
 9. A scaffold post as claimed in claim 8 wherein eachnotched region is defined in a cut out area of said peripheral rim witha downwardly open gap between said inward and outward support edges. 10.A scaffold support post as claimed in claim 8 wherein each cup connectoris welded to said support post and formed by a punch die process.
 11. Incombination, a scaffold post as claimed in claim 1 with each ledger anda series of ledgers having a ledger head for connecting to any of saidcup connectors; wherein each ledger head includes an extended postengaging face with one end thereof received in said cup and an oppositeend received in a rotatable inverted locking cup; said ledger headincluding a support surface for engaging and being supported by a rimportion of any of said cup connectors, and wherein said ledger headincludes a downwardly extending alignment member engagable in any ofsaid alignment recesses to locate said ledger head at predeterminedangular positions relative to said scaffold post.
 12. In combination asclaimed in claim 11 wherein said ledger head support surface isdownwardly angled.
 13. In combination as claimed in claim 12 whereineach ledger head is reversible.
 14. A scaffold system comprising aseries of scaffold support posts as claimed in claim 1 in combinationwith a series of ledgers for connecting to said scaffold support postsusing any of said cup connectors; and wherein each ledger includes aledger head having an extended post engaging face with one end thereofreceived in said cup connector and an opposite end received in arotatable inverted locking cup; said ledger head including a supportsurface for engaging and being supported by a rim portion of any of saidcup connectors, and wherein said ledger head includes a downwardlyextending alignment member engagable in any of said alignment recessesto locate said ledger head at predetermined angular positions relativeto said scaffold post.
 15. A scaffold ledger comprising an elongatetubular member having ledger heads at opposite ends thereof shaped forengagement in a cup connector of a scaffold post; and wherein saidledger heads nave a locking orientation with a fixed downwardlyextending locking projection extending therefrom for locking with analignment slot of a cup connector and a non locking orientation wheresaid scaffold ledger is rotated about a longitudinal axis thereof toposition said locking projection to extend upwardly and a non lockingsupport surface can be received in a cup connector in a host of angledpositions.